What is the difference between a tabby cat and a tom cat

Ticked tabbies don't have stripes or spots, but instead, have tabby markings on the face and agouti hairs hairs with more than one band of color on the body. Patched tabbies can show any one of the previous patterns, with the markings usually more apparent on the legs and head. Tabby patterns assist in camouflage when cats are hiding in tall grass or brush hunting for prey. Tigers and leopards both have tabby patterns. These unique creatures are incredibly affectionate and intelligent.

They love cuddles and a whole lot of attention. However, tabbies can get pretty cranky if they don't get their way; since as a rule they are very bright, they usually end up getting what they want. Tabbies are fantastic pets, especially for children, because of how social and friendly they are.

They love participating in family activities and thrive on being around their human families and other cats or dogs in your home. Tabbies are very good at expressing their feelings and will let you know if they are sad, angry, happy, or playful.

To a degree, male cats can become quite clingy to certain objects and individuals. When female cats are spayed, it takes them a bit longer to return to normal. They have to take time to process their hormones and sometimes that can lead to redirected aggression. Did you know that tabby cats can come in just about any coat color? The tabby gene is one of the most prominent genes. Almost every cat has some trace of it, and depending on their genetics, the markings may or may not appear.

Even in the rarer coat colors like Smoke, Chocolate, and Cream, the tabby gene can still be present. Even bi-color coats can feature the tabby pattern. Tabby is not actually a cat breed, so it has no bearing on what coat color the cat will have. Most domestic house cats have the tabby pattern. While the overwhelming majority of tabby cats feature some sort of stripe pattern, not all tabby cats have stripes. Remember that tabby cats can feature all kinds of unique patterns.

Most of them you can clearly see with stripes, swirls, blotches, and patches and spots. Then there is the ticked pattern which is much tougher to point out depending on the overall coat color of the cat.

There are a few ancient stories and myths surrounding the M marking on the tabby cats forehead. One such story references the ancient Egyptians while another tells a story about a cat jumping into the manger.

In the Egyptian period, cats were called Mau, and so the M is said to have come from this. In the biblical story, it is said that Mary gave the marking to the tabby cat who jumped into the manger. Other stories reference the Prophet Mohammed and how he prayed with a cat around him. While those stories are entertaining, more scientific proof of the forehead M has been linked to the cats unique DNA.

Whether the tabby cat is male or female, they each have a preferred paw that they use. Tabby cats can either be left-pawed or right-pawed. A large percentage of male tabby cats are left-pawed while most female tabby cats are right-pawed. Some interesting studies have been done to show paw preference in cats. The study also finds that Other studies have also shown a closer balance in the numbers with most still preferring their right paws. The preferences really come down to the brain structure of each gender.

Cats who are left pawed tend to rely on the right part of their brain to perform other functions. Cats who are left pawed tend to be more aware of their surroundings, sometimes more fearful and cautious, and are more likely to show some signs of aggression. This is all relating to the conditions of stress though and not normal day to day behavior in cats. Any easy way to tell if your cat is left or right-pawed is to see which paw they put forward first.

Observe your cat walking towards you and look closely to see how they begin their movement. You can also toss a toy to your cat and see which paw they reach with first. Tabby cats are already known for their distinct coat patterns. From stripes to spots, to agouti hairs, they can sport all sorts of unique displays. Then there […].

In Christian folklore, a tabby cat dutifully showed up to comfort baby Jesus. In gratitude, his mother Mary stroked the cat's head and left an 'M' mark on its forehead. Whereas in one Islamic legend a tabby cat named Muezza saved his master Mohammed from a poisonous snake.

To mark their special place in the feline world, all tabby cats from then on were rewarded with an 'M' on their forehead. But the true explanation for the letter 'M' mark tells us that it all comes down to genetics. The tabby pattern itself is the work of three types of genes that can be found in all domestic cats. This means that all cats are secretly tabbies - it's just more noticeable on those with patterned fur. If you've ever looked closely at any cat in the sun, you probably noticed the subtle tabby markings starting to show up.

On the wilder side of the feline spectrum, the same genes give tigers and leopards their tabby pattern which helps them be such successful hunters. The patterns work as a camouflage when they're hiding in tall grass waiting for their unsuspecting prey. It is believed the name tabby comes from a type of striped silk called Atabi, which was made in Attabiah in the Middle East. As soon as the silk arrived in Britain, the similarity in pattern to the coat of the so-called 'tiger cat; was noticed and this particular cat soon started being called 'tabi cat' which eventually became 'tabby cat'.

When it comes to the tabby cat's personality, many owners seem to think there is something special about a tabby. Very often the tabby cat is considered the most outgoing cat of all, playing and exploring like no other. Other tabby owners think their cat shows sure signs of being a genius and therefore higher intelligence is another distinctive quality that cat enthusiasts associate with a tabby cat. On top of this, their cuddly personality has made them popular with kids and their parents alike.

And if you've ever been around a red tabby, you know how feisty they can be. It turns out the mischievous Garfield has its origins firmly planted in reality after all.

Garfield is only one of the leading felines on the long list of tabby cats that have had a brush with fame - there is plenty of star power under those stripy markings. From Freddie Mercury to David Bowie and Betty White, tabby cats have stolen plenty of famous hearts and featured in their songs and photographs, proving that tabby cats are never too shy for the spotlight.

A true cat enthusiast, Mark Twain adopted his fair share of tabby cats during his lifetimes and it seems at one point he owned a total of 19! A tabby cat made headlines around the world when he was elected as mayor of an Alaskan town. Mayor Stubbs served for 20 years until he passed away in There is also the proud tabby Cheshire Cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and although it doesn't seem like it, so is Loki the Grumpy Cat Instagram star, who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers.

Plenty of show-stoppers indeed among the tabby kind!